Breastplate Of Righteousness

God made Christ who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

When Jesus died on the cross, he bore our sins in his body  and completely paid for the sin we all committed that was keeping us from having right standing with God. When he rose from the dead it proved that his payment for our sins was accepted and now he is able to give total right standing with God to everyone who believes.

The reason the gospel is “good news” is because in the gospel God revealed the way for people to stand before him as if they had never sinned – he does this through graciously giving us the righteousness of Christ. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel…for in it the righteousness of God is revealed.” (Romans 1:16-17)

Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. Romans 6:13

Now that Christ has made the way for us to receive his righteousness, we must consciously and consistently wear his righteousness. 

In battle, a breastplate is what protects and guards the heart. Paul describes Christ’s righteousness as a breastplate for the believer. Therefore, his righteousness is the actual guard and protector of our heart. This is why it’s vital to understand and believe that you have his righteousness. As you do, you can guard your heart against any lie that says otherwise. 

Stand therefore…having put on the breastplate of righteousness. Ephesians 6:14